Unpublished paper, 'Researches illustrative of the physico-chemical theory of fermentation and of the conditions favouring archebiosis in previously boiled fluids. Part I' by H [Henry] Charlton Bastian

Description

Bastian first calls attention to the fact that no previous investigator has professed to have seen well-marked fermentation set up in urine that had been boiled for a few minutes, if it has thereafter been guarded from contamination. The previous invariable barrenness of this fluid after boiling has been ascribed by germ-theorists to the fact that any organisms or germs of organisms which it may have contained were killed by raising it to the temperature of 212° Fahrenheit (100° C). In executing some of the experiments with urine described in this communication, two chemical agents have been brought into operation under novel conditions, and an ordinary physical influence has been employed to an entirely new extent. In several respects, therefore, these new experiments differ much, as regards the conditions made use of, from those hitherto devised for throwing light upon the questions as to the possible origin of fermentations independently of living organisms or germs, and as to the present occurrence or non-occurrence of archebiosis.

Annotations in ink throughout. Marked on front as 'Archives Jan 11/77'. Includes three diagrams relating to Bastian's experimental setup.

Subject: Chemistry

Received 24 May 1876. Read 15 June 1876.

Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 25 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'Researches illustrative of the physico-chemical theory of fermentation, and of the conditions favouring archebiosis in previously boiled fluids.—No. I'.

An abstract of this paper was published by Bastian in the British Medical Journal [later The BMJ]: Bastian, Henry Charlton. 'Abstract of Researches Illustrative the Physico-Chemical Theory of Fermentation, and of the Conditions Favouring Archebiosis in Previously Boiled Fluids.' The British Medical Journal, volume 2 (1876), pp. 39-40.

Reference number

AP/58/8

Earliest possible date

1876

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

43 pages

Format

Manuscript
Diagram